Elevator for sheet feeders



Jan. 30, 1945. 1.. BAKER ETAL ELEVATOR FOR SHEET FEEDERS 4 Sheets-She et 1 Filed June 25, 1942 INVENTORS LEONARD BAKER 1.50 C. WILLIAMS BY .am wg wm H- TORN Ys Jan. 30, 1945. L BAKE-R Em; 2,368,094

ELEVATOR FOR SHEET FEEDERS Filed June 25; 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS LEONARD BAKER LEO C. WILL/HMS Jan. 30,1945. BAKER ETAL v 2,368,094-

' ELEVATOR FOR SHEET FEEDERS I 4 Sheets-Shet 5 z w 8 w H mm z m M b. l x s INVENTORS LEONARD BAKER WILL/AMB- LEO 142 2% TORN 5 L. BAKER ET AL ELEVATOR FOR SHEET FEEDERS Jan. 30, 1945.

' Filed June 25, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 AT role/vars Patented Jan. 30, 1945 ELEVATOR FOR SHEET FEEDERS Leonard Baker, Hillsdale, N. 1., and Leo 0. W11 liams, Pearl River, N. Y., assignors to Dexter Folder Company, Pearl River, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 25, 1942, Serial No. 448,386

23 Claims. ('01. 271-62) The invention relates to anelevator for a sheet feeder. A pile of sheet such as paper are loaded upon the elevator and the top sheet is removed therefrom by suitable heet feeding devices. The elevator is slowly, or intermittently, raised as the sheets are taken off of the top of the pile. The

invention relates particularly to the elevator mechanism whereby, when the pile of sheets have been removed from one elevator platform, the latter is withdrawn and elevator side bars are rapidly dropped which automatically engage a second platform upon which there is a second pile of sheets ready to be raised to sheet feeding position. This construction permits the sheet feeder to be rapidly supplied with another pile of sheets so that the feeder is not out of service for too long a time.

It is an object of the invention to construct a new and novel elevator mechanism which has a platform which is removable when the pile of sheets thereonhave been removed and so constructed that the platform raising mechanism may be rapidly dropped to its bottom position, whereupon, the second platform already in position at the bottom of the elevator and loaded with a pile of sheets may be engaged and raised to sheet feeding position.

, Another object of the invention is to construct a locating arrangement for theplatform upon which the sheets are piled so that it is in proper position to be engaged by the elevating mechanism.

Another object is to construct a new and novel elevator utilizing a removable platform which is placed in position at the bottom of the elevator whereupon, the elevating mechanism automatically engages the platform so that it may be raised into sheet feeding position.

Another still further object is to construct a new and novel elevator platform for a sheet feeder elevator.

Another object is to provide a new and novel mechanism for removing a platform from. the

ing an elevator platform and side bars in par-' tially raised position and with a second platform 'at the bottom of the elevator in its initial position prior to shifting the same forward into final position. v

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the elevator taken on line 2 2 of Figure 1 and shows one i a side bar and the removable platform'with the platform adjacent the top of the elevator and a second platform at the bottom thereof in posi-- tion to be engaged by the side bars when they are dropped to the bottom of the elevator.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1 and 'shows the partially raised platform of Figure 1 and underneath the partially raised platform is shown the second platform at the bottom of the elevator in initial or first position.

Figure 4 is a view of part of the elevator guides,

latter tilted for removal from the side bars.

Figure 5 is a partial view of the bottom of the elevator showing a platform in final position ready to be engaged by the side bars and the mechanism for supporting and locating the platform in proper position.

- Figure6 is an enlarged view of aretractile latch carried'by the elevator platform with the latch being engaged by a side bar to-retract the same and permit the bar to Pass therebeneath.

showing adjustable extension members carried thereby.

The elevator and sheet feeder are mounted upon or attached to a machine to which sheets are to be fed and in the embodiment illustrated.

are mounted upon a printer frame to which the sheet feeder feeds the sheets from the elevator. The frame for the elevator is preferably formed from two spaced rectangular sides, each side comprising a pair'of spaced walls H and I2. Each pair of spaced walls provide an elevator guide for a side bar I: and hence there are two.

such side bars. The sides of each rectangular wall provide guiding edges which are spaced apart wide enough to pass a platform therebetween as will appear more fully hereinafter; Each side bar carries a suitable roller ll at each end thereof to engage the edge of its respective guide and is thereby retained in position between the spaced walls II and II. A rod It extends between each side bar and is secured thereto at a point adjacent the rear ends of the side bars.

The side bars l3 are raised by suitable mechanism, that. particularly illustrated comprising a cable [8 for each side bar which is secured to one end of its respective side bar and passes over the sheaves i9 and 20 to a winding drum 2i. A second cable 22 is provided for each side bar which is attached to the other end of its respective bar and passes over the sheave 20 and to the winding drum 2|. The winding drum is rotated by suitable driving mechanism enclosed in the gear box 23 (Figure 2). A clutch mechanism is included with the driving mechanism which may be released, whereupon the side bars I3 descend of their own weight. The purpose of the clutch mechanism is to disconnect the wind-' ing drum 2i from the driving mechanism so that the side bars may be quickly dropped to the bottom of the elevator to pick up a second platform which has been loaded with a pile of sheets to be raised to sheet feeding position.

The elevator includes a platform upon which a pile of sheets is stacked. The platform includes a pair of cross bars 26, shown as channel irons or bars, which are secured in spaced relation by angle irons 21 forming cross braces. A deck 28 is secured to the platform frame formed by the channel irons or cross bars and the cross braces. Each cross bar, Figure 6, has a plate 29 secured such as by welding to the edges of the flanges of the channel irons at each end-thereof so as to form latch housings. A pivot pin 30 passes through the web of the cross bar 26 and each plate 29 upon which pin a latch II is pivotally mounted. Each latch has a camming surface 32 and a notch 33 so that the lower edge of the respective descending side bar i3 engages the camming surface to retract the latch. When the side bar is has dropped below the latch, the

latter swings to normal extended. position 'so that the notch 33 is in position to engage the top edge aseaoos The platform preferably'has adjustable means at one edge thereof for extending the platform or the deck thereof along one side so that the whole or substantially whole lower surface of the pile of sheets which extend between pile guides 31 is supported. The pile guides are carried in suitable fashion by the frame and, in the illustrated embodiment, they are adjustable laterally upon a supporting bar 38, Figure 2, carried by the frame. The adjustable means for the platform or deck includes a bar 38 shown in Figure 8 which is secured to and spaced from the forward edge of the platform or deck or particularly the cross bar 28 by any suitable means such as the bolts l0 and spacing washers 43. The adjustable means includes a plurality of angle members ll which have a spring 42 attached to one side thereof. The spring side of the angle members is projected between thespaced bar 33 and the edge of the platform, or particularly between the edge of the deck 22 and the face of the channel iron 26, to frictionally retain the same in position. A series of such angle members are used as illustrated in 'Figure 3. They may be moved laterally along theedge of the platform or may be removed entirely in case the sheet upon the platform is a short sheet.

One of the channel cross bars 28 preferably carries a roller 45 near the far edge of the platform for ease in removing the same from the side bars l3 of the elevator. In removing the platform it is lowered, for example to the position shown in Figure l, and pulled towards the rear, that is, to the right as illustrated in this figure, so that the angle members ii are clear of the pile guides 31 whereupon the platform may be tilted, as shown in Figure 4, or pulled out laterally in level position to bring the roller 45 into engagement with the roller bar It. The attendant standing at the near side, which would be at the bottom as viewed in Figure 3, then shown in Figure '7 to hold the latch extended and from swinging upwardly when it is supporting the weight of the platform. The extension also serves as a stop against too far a rotation in a clock-wise or retracting direction by engaging the top flange of the channel iron or cross bar.

The platform described'with a pile of sheets thereon is raised on the pair of side bars II to sheet delivery position and then is raised slowly or intermittently until the sheet feeder has removed all, or substantially all of the sheets therefrom. The platform is then lowered to bring it well clear of the frame or guide so that it may be removed from the side bars through the side of the frame, whereupon, the clutch is released and the side bars drop down to the bottom of the elevator. Each latch 3| upon each end of the two cross bars 23 is cammed to retracted position by the falling side bars l3. When the side bars.descend to their lower position, which is lowerthan the latches, the latter move into extended position above the side bar as illustrated in Figure 7. Engagment of the clutch raises the two sidebars l3 so thateach top surface thereof ensues their respective latches 3| and raises the platform with its pile of sheets thereon to ,sheetfeedingposition. I

raises the near side of the platform to bring the plate 29 and channel 26 above the near side bar I3 after which the platform is drawn toward the attendant and removed through the side of the elevator with the roller 45 rolling along the bar I5. I

Means are provided to locate the platform in proper position at the bottom of the elevator. This means includes a pair of supports 41 preferably made of angle irons so that a pair of spaced upstanding flanges ll and 43 are provided. These supports are secured to the frame in any suitable fashion, such as by the blocks 50, Figure 7, having bolts 5| which secure the blocks to the'side wall l2 and bolts 32 which secure the supports to the blocks 33. The platform is inserted through the side of the frame into the elevator so that the bottom of the legs formed by the plates 29 rest upon the horizontal portion of the angle irons or supports 41. The edges of the plates 2! engage the side walls l2 to position the platform in a lateral direction. For forward and rearward posltion, one pair of plates 23, which are secured to the inner edges of the channel irons 23, engages the upstanding flange 43 as a locating stop for the initial or rearward position of the platform. Theplatform is then pushed forward or to the left as viewed in Figure 1 until the other pair of plates 20 carried by the right-hand cross bar 20, as viewed in Figure 5, engages the upstanding flange ll whereupon the platform is located in proper position -to be elevated. In this position of the platform the adjustable extensions 4| exthe teachings of an invention. This disclosure illustrates the preferred means of embodying the invention in useful form.

What is claimed is:

1. A sheet feeder elevator'comprising a pair of spaced guides, a side bar guided by each spaced guide, means to elevate the side bars, a platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to feeding level, retractile latches carried by the plat form which retract by engagement with the descending side bars and thereafter extend to be engaged by the rising side bars at a point in alignment with the guides to lift the platform and a pile of sheets, and means adjacent the bottom of the spaced guides to locate the platform in position for engagement of the latches of the latter by the side bars for raising the platform.

2. A sheet feeder elevator comprising a pair of spaced guides, a side bar guided by each spaced guide, means to elevate the side bars, a platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to feeding level, retractile latches carried by the platform which retract by engagement with the descending side bars and thereafter extend to be engaged by the rising side bars to lift the platform and pile of sheets, and a pair of upwardly extending and spaced flanges adjacent the bottom of the spaced guides to locate the platform in two positions prior to engagement of the latches of the latter by the side bars for raisin the platform, one of said flanges forming a forward stop and the other a rear stop for the platform.

3. A sheet feeder elevator comprising a pair of spaced guides, a side bar guided by each spaced guide, means to elevate the side bars, a platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to of the latches of the latter by the sidebars for raising the platform.

5. A sheet feeder elevator comprising a pair of spaced guides: a side bar guided by each spaced guide; means to elevate the side bars; a platform for supporting a pile of sheetsto be raised to feeding level including a-pair of spaced channel bars, a plate secured to the flangesat each end of the channelbars forming a latch housing, a pivoted retractile latch carried in each latch housing which retracts by engagement with the descend ing side bars and thereafter extends to be engaged by the rising side bars to lift the platform and pile of sheets, each latch having an inwardly directed extension which engages the flanges as a stop, and a deck carried upon the channel irons; and means adjacent the bottom of the spaced guides to locate the platform in position for engagement of the latches by the side bars feeding level, retractile latches carried by the platform which retract by engagement with the descending side bars and thereafter extend to be engaged by the rising side bars to lift the platform and pile of sheets, and a pair of spaced angle irons adjacent the bottom of the spaced guides having one upwardly extending flange upon one angle iron forming a forward stop and the upwardly extending flange .upon the other angle iron forming a rear stop to locate the platform in two positions prior to engagement of the latches by the side bars for raising the platform, the platform resting upon the horizontal sides of the angle irons.

4. A sheet feeder elevator comprising a pair of spaced guides; a sidebar guided by each spaced guide; means to elevate the side bars; a platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to feeding level including a pair of spaced channel irons, a plate secured to the flanges at each end of the channel irons forming a latch housing, a retractile latch carried in each latch housing and normally projecting therefrom which rehousing which retracts by engagement with the of spaced ve for raising'the platform.

6. A sheet feeder elevator comprising a pair of spaced guides; a side bar guided by each spaced guide; means to elevate the side bars; a platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to feeding level including a pair of spaced channel bars, a plate secured to the flanges at each end of the channel bars forming a latch housing and extending below the channel bar, a pivoted retractile latch carried in each latch housing which retracts by engagement with the descending side bar and thereafter extends to be engaged by the rising side bar to lift the platform and pile of sheets, and a deck carried upon the channel bars; and apair of upwardly extending flanges adjacent the bottom of the spaced guides spaced guides; a side bar guided by each spacedgulde; means to elevate the side bars; a platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to feeding level including a pair of spaced channel bars. a plate secured to the flanges at each end of the channel bars forming a latch housing and extending belowthe channel bar, a pivoted retractile latch carried in each latch housing which retracts by engagement with the descending side bar and thereafter extends to be engaged by the rising sidebar to lift the platform and pile of sheets, and a deck carried upon the channel bars: and a pair of spaced angle irons adjacent the bottom of the spaced guides and each-having a flange extending upwardly, the plate resting upon the horizontal flanges thereof and engaging an upwardly extending flange to locate the platform in position prior to engagement of .the latches by the side bars for raising the platform.

8. A sheet eeder elevator comprising a pair cal guides; a side bar guided by each spaced guide; means to elevate the side bars; a pair of spaced pile guides extending vertically of the elevator and adjustable laterally; a platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to feeding level including a pair of spaced channel bars, a plate secured to the flanges at each end of the channel bars forming a latch housing, a pivoted retractile latch carried in each latch descending side bar and thereafter extends to be engaged by the rising side bar to lift the platform and pile of sheets, and a deck carried upon the channel bars including adjustable members extending outwardly therefrom and between the pile guides; and means adjacent the bottom of formed at each end of each thespaced vertical guides to locate the platform in position for engagement of the latches by the side bars for raising the platform, including a pair of upwardly extending stops spaced a distance apart less than the spacing of the channel bars of the platform so that one stop locates the platform with the adjustable-member clear of the pile guides and the other locates the platform with the adjustable members between the pile guides.

9. A sheet feeder elevator comprising a pair of spaced vertical guides; a side bar guided by each spaced guide; means to elevate the side bars; a pair of spaced pile guides extending vertically of the elevator and adjustable laterally; a platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to feeding level including a pair of spaced channel bars, a plate secured to the flanges at each end of the channel bars forming a latch housing and extending below the-channel bar, a pivoted retractile latch carried in each latch housing which retracts by engagement with the descending side barand thereafter extends to be engaged by the rising side bar to lift the platform and pile of sheets, and a deck carried upon the channel bars including adjustable members extending between the pile guides; and a pair of spaced angle irons adjacent the bottom of the spaced vertical guides to locate the platform in position for engagement of the latches by the side bars for raising the platform, one of the flanges of each angle-iron extending upwardly and spaced. from each other a distance so that one flange 'is engaged by a pair of plates and serves as a stop for the platform with the angle members clear of the pile guides and-the other flange is engaged by.another pair of plates and serves as a stop for the platform with the angle members extending between the pile guides.

10. A sheet feeder elevator comprising a pair of spaced vertical guides; a side bar guided by each spaced, guide and having a rod extending therebetween and adjacent the rear ends thereof; means to elevate the side bars; a pair of spaced pile guides extending vertically of the elevator and between the spaced guides; a platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to feeding level including pivoted retractile latches carried by the platform which retract by engagement with the descending side bars and 5 thereafter extend to be engaged by the rising side bars to lift the platform and pile of sheets, a deck for supporting the pile of sheets extending between the pile guides, and a-roller carried by the platform adapted to engage with the rod extending between the side bars upon tilting of the platform for vator.

11. A platform for a sheet feederelevator having elevating side bars comprising a frame including a pair of spaced cross bars, a latch housing cross bar, a pivoted retractile latch carried in each latch housing which retracts upon engagement side bar and thereafter extends to be e ged by the rising side bar, each latch havingan inwardly projected extension which engages a stop toretain the same in normal extended position, and a deck carried by the frame. 12. A platform for a sheet feeder elevator having elevating side bars comprising a frame including a pair of spaced channel cross bars, the channel form of cross bar providing flanges, a plate secured to the flanges at each end of the channel bars and forming a latch housing, a pivoted reremoval thereof from the eleby a descending and spaced from the-frame, and angle memtractile latch carried in each latch homing which retracts upon engagement by a descending side bar and thereafter extend to be engaged by the rising side bars, each tch having an inwardly projected extension w engages a flange to retain the same in ex ded position, and a deck carried by the frame.

13. A platform for a sheet feeder elevator having elevating side bars, comprising a frame including a pair of spaced channel cross bars, a plate secured to the flanges at each end of the channel bars and forming a latch housing, each plate extending below the channel bar to form a foot, 2. pivoted retractile latch carried in each latch housing which retracts upon engagement by a descending side bar and thereafter extends to be engaged by the rising side bar, each latch having an inwardly projected extension which ongages a flange to retain the same in extended position, and a deck carried by the fr I e.

14. A platform for a sheet f elevator having elevating side bars comp g a frame including a pair of spaced 0 el cross-bars, a

plate secured to theflanges atseach end of the.

channel bars and formingi latch bousing, a pivoted retractile latch carried in each latch housing which retracts upon engagement by a descending side bar and thereafter extends to be engaged by the rising side bar, each latch having an inwardly projected extension which engages the lower'flange to retain the same in normal extended position and engages the upper flange to prevent undue retraction of the latch, and a deck carried by the frame.

15. A platform for a sheet feeder elevator having elevating side bars comprising a platform frame including a pair of spaced cross bars, a pivoted retractile latch carried at the end of each cross bar which retracts upon engagement by a descending side bar and thereafter extends to be engaged by the rising side bar, means to retain each latch in extended position, a deck carried by the platform frame, and means carried by the platform frame at one edge thereof to extend the deck and adjustable along the edge thereof.

I S. A platform -f0r a sheet feeder elevator bars, a pivoted retractile latch carried at the end of each cross bar which retracts upon engagement by a, descending side bar and thereafter extends to be engaged by the rising side bar, means to retain each latch in extended position, a deck carried by the platform frame, a bar carried by the frame at one edge thereof bers inserted within the space between the bar and frame to extend the deck and adjustable along the edge thereof.

1'7. A sheet feeder elevator of spaced guides, a side spaced guide, means platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to feeding level, and retractile latches carried by the platform which retract by engagement with the descending side bars and thereafter extend to be engaged by the rising side bars at a point in alignment with the guides to lift the platform and a pile of sheets.

18. A sheet feeder elevator comprising a pair of spaced guides; a side bar guided by each spaced guide,, means-f to elevate the side bars; a platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to feeding level including a pair of spaced comprising a pair bar guided by each to elevate the side bars, a

aseaoae 5 each end of the channel irons forming a latch housing, a retractile latch carried in each latch housing and normally projecting therefrom which retracts by engagement with the descending side bars and thereafter extends to be engaged by the rising side bars to lift the plat-- form and pile of sheets, and a deck upon the channel irons.

19.v A sheet feeder elevator comprising a pair of spaced guides; a side bar guided by each spaced guide; means to elevate the side bars; a platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to feeding level including a pair of spaced channel bars, a plate secured to the flanges at each end of the channel bars forming a latch housing, a pivoted retractile latch carried in each latch housing which retracts by engagement with the descending side bars and thereafter extends to be engaged by the rising side bars to lift the platform and pile of sheets, each latch having an inwardly directed extension which engages the flanges as a stop, and a deck carried upon the channel irons.

20. A sheet feeder elevator comprising a pair of spaced guides, a flat side bar guided by each spaced guide, means to elevate the side bars, a platform for supporting a pile of sheets to be raised to feeding level, retractile latches carried by the platform which retract by en- 3o guided by each spaced guide, means to elevate gagement with the descending side bars and thereafter extend to be engaged by the upper edge of the rising side bars to lift the platformand a pile ofsheets, and means adjacent the bottom of the spaced guides to locate the platform in position for engagement of the latches of the latterby-the side bars for raising the platform.

21. A sheetfecder elevator comprising a pair of spaced guides, a flat side bar guided by each spaced guide and having an upper latch 40 of spaced guides, each engaging edge in alignment with the guides, means connected with the side bars in alignment with the guides for elevating the same.v

a platform for supporting a. pile of sheets to be 5 raised to feeding level, and retractile latches carried by the platform which retract by eng'agement with the descending side bars and thereafter extend to be engaged by the upper edge of the rising side bars to lift the platform l0 and a pile of sheets.

22. A sheet feeder elevator comprising a pair of spaced guides, each guide having a pair of' guiding edges spaced apart so as to pass a platform therebetween, a side bar guided by 15 each spaced guide, means to elevate the side bars, a. platform for supporting a pile. of sheets to be raised to feeding level, retractile latches carried by the platform which retract by engagement with the descending side bars and g0 thereafter extend to be en'saged by the'rising side bars to lift the platform and a pile of sheets, and means adjacent the bottom of the spaced guides to locate the platform in'position for engagement of the. latches of the latter by the side 25 bars for raising the platform.

1 23. A sheet feeder elevator comprising a pair guide having a pair of guiding edges spaced apart as a whole so as to pass a platform therebetween, a side bar 35 bars and thereafter extend to. be engaged by the rising side bars to lift the platform and a. pile I of sheets.

LEONARD BAKER. LEO c. 

